US20120239020A1 - Geo-Location Addition to Electrosurgical Generator - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for determining the location of an electrosurgical generator using a geo-location device within the generator. The geo-location device determines the location of the generator and the controller sets a default language of the generator based on the determined location. The default language may be overridden by a user when necessary. The geo-location device is coupled to a communication port. The communication port allows for a wireless signal to be sent upon the generator being reported stolen or for tracking location of the generators. The communication port is coupled to the controller to allow for remote disablement, for example in response to the generator being stolen. Alternatively, the controller may disable the generator when the geo-location device determines that the generator has moved outside a predetermined location.

Description

BACKGROUND
• 1. Technical Field
• The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical generators. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for determining a location of an electrosurgical generator.
• 2. Background of Related Art
• Energy-based tissue treatment is well known in the art. Various types of energy (e.g., electrical, ultrasonic, microwave, cryogenic, heat, laser, etc.) are applied to tissue to achieve a desired result. Electrosurgery involves application of high radio frequency electrical current to a surgical site to cut, ablate, coagulate or seal tissue.
• In bipolar electrosurgery, one of the electrodes of the hand-held instrument functions as the active electrode and the other as the return electrode. The return electrode is placed in close proximity to the active electrode such that an electrical circuit is formed between the two electrodes (e.g., electrosurgical forceps). In this manner, the applied electrical current is limited to the body tissue positioned between the electrodes. When the electrodes are sufficiently separated from one another, the electrical circuit is open and thus inadvertent contact with body tissue with either of the separated electrodes does not cause current to flow.
• Bipolar electrosurgical techniques and instruments can be used to coagulate blood vessels or tissue, e.g., soft tissue structures, such as lung, brain and intestine. A surgeon can either cauterize, coagulate/desiccate and/or simply reduce or slow bleeding, by controlling the intensity, frequency and duration of the electrosurgical energy applied between the electrodes and through the tissue. In order to achieve one of these desired surgical effects without causing unwanted charring of tissue at the surgical site or causing collateral damage to adjacent tissue, e.g., thermal spread, it is necessary to control the output from the electrosurgical generator, e.g., power, waveform, voltage, current, pulse rate, etc.
• In monopolar electrosurgery, the active electrode is typically a part of the surgical instrument held by the surgeon that is applied to the tissue to be treated. A patient return electrode is placed remotely from the active electrode to carry the current back to the generator and safely disperse current applied by the active electrode. The return electrodes usually have a large patient contact surface area to minimize heating at that site. Heating is caused by high current densities that directly depend on the surface area. A larger surface contact area results in lower localized heat intensity. Return electrodes are typically sized based on assumptions of the maximum current utilized during a particular surgical procedure and the duty cycle (i.e., the percentage of time the generator is on).
• The electrosurgical generator incorporates software and firmware for monitoring and control. One of the features of the software is a language setting where a user can choose from over twenty five languages. However, selecting a language through menus may be cumbersome or the language selected may be inadvertently changed by a user.
SUMMARY
• In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for determining the location of an electrosurgical generator using a geo-location device within the generator. The geo-location device determines the location of the generator and the controller sets a default language of the generator based on the determined location. The default language may be overridden by a user when necessary. The geo-location device is coupled to a communication port. The communication port allows for a wireless signal to be sent upon the generator being reported stolen or for tracking location of the generators. The communication port is coupled to the controller to allow for remote disablement, for example in response to the generator being stolen. Alternatively, the controller may disable the generator when the geo-location device determines that the generator has moved outside a predetermined location.
• According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an electrosurgical generator includes the steps of connecting a geo-location device to a controller within the generator and determining a location of the generator. The method further includes the steps of automatically selecting a default language based on the determined location, and modifying a display screen based on the default language.
• According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical generator includes a power supply and a RF output state configured to generate an electrosurgical waveform. The generator further includes a geo-location device configured to determine a location of the electrosurgical generator and a controller coupled to the geo-location device. The controller configured to automatically set a default language based on the location determined by the geo-location device.
• According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating an electrosurgical generator includes the steps of installing a geo-location device within the generator, and mapping the geo-location device to a generator ID of the generator. The method further includes the steps of determining a location of the generator, and sending, wirelessly, the location of the generator to a remote device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrosurgical system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 2 is a front view of an electrosurgical generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the electrosurgical generator ofFIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.
• The generator according to the present disclosure can perform monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical procedures, including vessel sealing procedures. The generator may include a plurality of outputs for interfacing with various electrosurgical instruments (e.g., a monopolar active electrode, return electrode, bipolar electrosurgical forceps, footswitch, etc.). Further, the generator includes electronic circuitry configured to generate radio frequency power specifically suited for various electrosurgical modes (e.g., cutting, blending, division, etc.) and procedures (e.g., monopolar, bipolar, vessel sealing).
• FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a bipolar and monopolarelectrosurgical system1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thesystem1 includes one or more monopolarelectrosurgical instruments2 having one or more electrodes3 (e.g., electrosurgical cutting probe, ablation electrode(s), etc.) for treating tissue of a patient. Electrosurgical RF energy is supplied to theinstrument2 by agenerator20. Theinstrument2 includes an active electrode3 that is connected via asupply line4 to anactive terminal30 of thegenerator20, allowing theinstrument2 to coagulate, ablate and/or otherwise treat tissue. The energy is returned to thegenerator20 through areturn electrode6 via a return line8 at areturn terminal32 of thegenerator20. Thesystem1 may include a plurality ofreturn electrodes6 that are arranged to minimize the chances of tissue damage by maximizing the overall contact area with the patient. In addition, thegenerator20 and thereturn electrode6 may be configured for monitoring so-called “tissue-to-patient” contact to insure that sufficient contact exists therebetween to further minimize chances of tissue damage.
• Thesystem1 may also include a bipolarelectrosurgical forceps10 having one or more electrodes for treating tissue of a patient. Theelectrosurgical forceps10 includes opposingjaw members15 and17 having one or moreactive electrodes14 and areturn electrode16 disposed therein, respectively. Theactive electrode14 and thereturn electrode16 are connected to thegenerator20 throughcable18 that includes the supply andreturn lines4,8 coupled to the active andreturn terminals30,32, respectively. Theelectrosurgical forceps10 is coupled to thegenerator20 at a connector having connections to the active andreturn terminals30 and32 (e.g., pins) via a plug disposed at the end of thecable18, wherein the plug includes contacts from the supply andreturn lines4,8.
• With reference toFIG. 2,front face40 of thegenerator20 is shown. Thegenerator20 may be any suitable type (e.g., electrosurgical, microwave, etc.) and may include a plurality of connectors50-62 to accommodate various types of electrosurgical instruments (e.g.,multiple instruments2,electrosurgical forceps10, etc.). Thegenerator20 includes one or more display screens42,44,46 for providing the user with a variety of output information (e.g., intensity settings, treatment complete indicators, etc.). Each of thescreens42,44,46 is associated with a corresponding connector50-62. Thegenerator20 includes suitable input controls (e.g., buttons, activators, switches, touch screen, etc.) for controlling thegenerator20. The display screens42,44,46 are also configured as touch screens that display a corresponding menu for the electrosurgical instruments (e.g.,multiple instruments2,electrosurgical forceps10, etc.). The user then makes inputs by simply touching corresponding menu options. The controls allow the user to select desired output modes as well as adjust operating parameters of the modes, such as power, waveform parameters, etc. to achieve the desired output suitable for a particular task (e.g., cutting, coagulating, tissue sealing, etc.). Additionally, the user can override a default setting for language by touching corresponding menu options.
• Thegenerator20 is configured to operate in a variety of modes. In one embodiment, thegenerator20 may output the following modes, cut, blend, division with hemostasis, fulgurate and spray. Each of the modes operates based on a preprogrammed power curve that dictates how much power is outputted by thegenerator20 at varying impedance ranges of the load (e.g., tissue). Each of the power curves includes a constant power, constant voltage and constant current ranges that are defined by the user-selected power setting and the measured minimum impedance of the load.
• In the cut mode, for example, thegenerator20 supplies a continuous sine wave at a predetermined frequency (e.g., 472 kHz) having a crest factor of 1.5 or less in the impedance range of 100Ω to 2,000Ω. The cut mode power curve may include three regions: constant current into low impedance, constant power into medium impedance and constant voltage into high impedance. In the blend mode, the generator supplies bursts of a sine wave at the predetermined frequency, with the bursts reoccurring at a first predetermined rate (e.g., about 26.21 kHz). In one embodiment, the duty cycle of the bursts may be about 50%. The crest factor of one period of the sine wave may be less than 1.5. The crest factor of the burst may be about 2.7.
• The division with hemostasis mode includes bursts of sine waves at a predetermined frequency (e.g., 472 kHz) reoccurring at a second predetermined rate (e.g., about 28.3 kHz). The duty cycle of the bursts may be 25%. The crest factor of one burst may be 4.3 across an impedance range of 100Ω to 2,000Ω. The fulgurate mode includes bursts of sine waves at a predetermined frequency (e.g., 472 kHz) reoccurring at a third predetermined rate (e.g., about 30.66 kHz). The duty cycle of the bursts may be 6.5% and the crest factor of one burst may be 5.55 across an impedance range of 100Ω to 2,000Ω. The spray mode may be bursts of sine wave at a predetermined frequency (e.g., 472 kHz) reoccurring at a third predetermined rate (e.g., about 21.7 kHz). The duty cycle of the bursts may be 4.6% and the crest factor of one burst may be 6.6 across the impedance range of 100Ω to 2,000Ω.
• Thescreen46 controls bipolar sealing procedures performed by theforceps10 that may be plugged into theconnectors60 and62. Thegenerator20 outputs energy through theconnectors60 and62 suitable for sealing tissue grasped by theforceps10. Thescreen46 also controls asystem tray47 to allow the user to access and adjust system settings. Thesystem tray47 may include abrightness icon43, amenu icon48, an errordisabled icon41. Thebrightness icon43 allows the user to adjust the brightness of thescreens42,44,46. The errordisabled icon41 indicates that the error warnings have been disabled using the service menu. Themenu icon48 allows access to the main menu where the user can change options for language, appearance, and other operations.
• Thescreen42 controls monopolar output and the devices connected to theconnectors50 and52. Theconnector50 is configured to couple to theinstrument2 and theconnector52 is configured to couple to a foot switch (not shown). The foot switch provides for additional inputs (e.g., replicating inputs of thegenerator20 and/or instrument2). For example, in standard monoploar mode, thepower output modes72,74 are indicted oninterface70. The user adjusts the power controls using up and downarrows76,78 for each mode respectively.
• Thescreen44 controls monopolar and bipolar output and the devices connected to theconnectors56 and58.Connector56 is configured to couple to theinstrument2, allowing thegenerator20 to powermultiple instruments2.Connector58 is configured to couple to a bipolar instrument (not shown). When using thegenerator20 in monopolar mode (e.g., with instruments2), thereturn electrode6 is coupled to theconnector54, which is associated with thescreens42 and44. Thegenerator20 is configured to output the modes discussed above through theconnectors50,56,58.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of thegenerator20 having acontroller24, a high voltage DC power supply27 (“HVPS”) and anRF output stage28, a geo-location chip36, and acommunication port38. TheHVPS27 is connected to an AC source (e.g., electrical wall outlet) and provides high voltage DC power to anRE output stage28, which then converts high voltage DC power into RF energy and delivers the RF energy to theactive terminal30. The energy is returned thereto via thereturn terminal32. In particular, theRF output stage28 generates sinusoidal waveforms of high RF energy. TheRF output stage28 is configured to operate in a plurality of modes, during which thegenerator20 outputs corresponding waveforms having specific duty cycles, peak voltages, crest factors, etc. In another embodiment, thegenerator20 may be based on other types of suitable power supply topologies.
• Thecontroller24 includes amicroprocessor25 operably connected to amemory26, which may be volatile type memory (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile type memory (e.g., flash media, disk media, etc.). Themicroprocessor25 includes an output port that is operably connected to theHVPS27 and/orRF output stage28 allowing themicroprocessor25 to control the output of thegenerator20 according to either open and/or closed control loop schemes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that themicroprocessor25 may be substituted by any logic processor (e.g., control circuit) adapted to perform the calculations discussed herein.
• A closed loop control scheme is a feedback control loop, in which one ormore sensors23 measure a variety of tissue and/or energy properties (e.g., tissue impedance, tissue temperature, output current and/or voltage, etc.), and provide feedback to thecontroller24. Such sensors may include voltage and current sensors that are coupled to theoutput terminals30 and32 of thegenerator20, which are within the purview of those skilled in the art. In response to the sensor signals, thecontroller24 controls theHVPS27 and/orRF output stage28, which then adjusts the DC and/or RF power supply, respectively. Thecontroller24 also receives input signals from the input controls of thegenerator20, theinstrument2 orforceps10. Thecontroller24 utilizes the input signals to adjust power outputted by thegenerator20 and/or performs other control functions thereon.
• Thememory26 includes software for operating thegenerator20. The software includes a choice of over twenty five languages. The geo-location chip36 determines the location of thegenerator20 anywhere in the world. The location given by the geo-location ship36 may be a country, state, region, address, and/or coordinates. The geo-location chip36 passes the information to themicroprocessor25 and themicroprocessor25 determines the appropriate default language based on the location determined by the geo-location chip36.
• The geo-location chip36 may also be connected to acommunication port38. Thecommunication port38 provides wired and/or wireless communication with an external device (not shown), such as an inventory control system or a theft monitoring system. Thecommunication port38 may provide remote access to thecontroller24 from the external device to remotely disable thegenerator20. For example, if thegenerator20 is reported stolen, then a theft monitoring system may remotely accesscontroller24 throughcommunication port38 and disable thegenerator20. In another example, during a clinical trial, thegenerator20 may be programmed to stay within set boundaries and may automatically be disabled upon the geo-location chip36 and thecontroller24 determines the location is outside the set boundaries. Additionally, thecommunication port38 may be used to track the location of thegenerator20 by a remote user accessing thegenerator20 through thecommunication port38 and reading data from the geo-location chip36. Alternatively, thecommunication port38 may be accessed to remotely update or repair thegenerator20.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram400 for using a geo-location chip36 within agenerator20. Theprocess400 starts atstep405, when a geo-location chip36 is installed within agenerator20. The geo-location chip36 is connected tocontroller24 andcommunication port38. The go-location chip36 determines the location of thegenerator20 atstep415. The location may be a country, state, region, address, and/or coordinates of thegenerator20. Thecontroller24 then atstep420 sets the default language of thegenerator20 based on the location determined by the geo-location chip36. The controller adjustsscreens42,44,46 to display the default language atstep425. If a user chooses to change the language displayed from the geo-location set default language, the user selects themenu icon48 on thesystem tray47 and picks a different language from a menu.
• Next, atstep430, theGPS chip36 is mapped to a generator ID in a database. The generator ID may be the serial number of thegenerator20. The database may be operated and controlled by the manufacturer, a hospital, or other group. Step430 may take place prior to step415 and/or afterstep425.
• For inventory control, the location of thegenerator20 is determined by the geo-location chip36 atstep435. The location is then sent to an inventory control system atstep440 to monitor the location of eachgenerator20. The location of thegenerator20 may be in a warehouse or while shipping. Then, when thegenerator20 is turned on for the first time, thegenerator20 can set a default language using steps415-425.
• In response to a stolengenerator20, a user may report thegenerator20 stolen to the manufacturer of the generator, the hospital, and/or a local authority that may remotely access data from the geo-location chip36 atstep445. The geo-location chip36 determines the location of thegenerator20 atstep450. The location determined by the geo-location chip36 is sent to the manufacturer, hospital, and/or local authority usingcommunication port38 atstep455. Alternatively or in combination with steps450-455, the manufacturer, hospital, and/or local authority may remotely disable thegenerator20 using thecommunication port38 atstep460.
• In some situations, there may be a need for thegenerator20 to be limited to a certain location, such as in a clinical trial or an area with theft problems. Predetermined boundaries for thegenerator20 are stored within thememory26 of thecontroller24 atstep465. Next, the geo-location chip36 determines the location of thegenerator20 atstep470. The geo-location chip36 may check the location periodically, such as once a minute, hour, or day. Thecontroller24 then determines if thegenerator20 is located outside the predetermined boundaries atstep475. If thegenerator20 is not outside the location limitations, then the geo-location chip36 determines the location of thegenerator20 again atstep470. If thegenerator20 is outside the location limitations, then the generator may be automatically disabled atstep480. Alternatively, a user may be notified of the generator's location and the user may remotely disable thegenerator20.
• While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (20)

1. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:

connecting a geo-location device to a controller within the generator;

determining a location of the generator;

automatically selecting a default language based on the determined location; and

modifying a display screen based on the default language.

2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising:

mapping the geo-location device to a generator ID.

3. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising:

sending the location of the generator to an inventory control system.

4. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising:

reporting the generator stolen; and

notifying a user of the location of the generator.

5. The method according toclaim 4, further comprising:

remotely disabling the generator.

6. The method according toclaim 2, further comprising:

programming predetermined boundaries to limit the location of the generator;

determining the generator is outside the boundary limitations; and

in response to determining the generator is outside the boundary limitations, automatically disabling the generator.

7. The method according toclaim 2, wherein the generator ID is a serial number of the generator.

8. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising;

selecting a different language through a menu to change the language from the default geo-location set language.

9. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the location is a state, country, region, address, or coordinates.

10. An electrosurgical generator, comprising:

a power supply;

a RF output state configured to generate an electrosurgical waveform;

a geo-location device configured to determine a location of the electrosurgical generator;

a controller coupled to the geo-location device and configured to automatically set a default language based on the location determined by the geo-location device.

11. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 10, further comprising:

a communication port connected to the geo-location device and the controller.

12. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to wirelessly send the location of the generator to an external device or user.

13. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user remote access to determine location of the generator.

14. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to receive a software or firmware update.

15. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user to remotely repair the generator.

16. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, wherein the communication port is configured to allow a user to remotely disable the generator.

17. The electrosurgical generator according toclaim 11, further comprising an external database configured to map the geo-location device and a generator ID.

18. A method of operating an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:

installing a geo-location device within the generator;

mapping the geo-location device to a generator ID of the generator;

determining a location of the generator; and

sending, wirelessly, the location of the generator to a remote device.

19. The method according toclaim 18, further comprising:

automatically setting a default language based on the determined location.

20. The method according toclaim 18, further comprising:

remotely disabling or updating the generator.

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